Automatic mattress spring adjustment for drop side crib



Oct. 9, 1956 D. P. RoYcE 2,765,477

AUTOMATIC MATTRESS SPRING ADJUSTMENT FOR DROP SIDE CRIB Filed Feb. 16,1955 2 Sheets-Sl'xeel*l l INVENTOR DRAPER R ROYCE @MQ/"f,

ATTORNEY Oct. 9, 1956 D, P. ROYCE 2,765,477

AUTOMATIC MATTRESS SPRING ADJUSTMENT FOR DROP SIDE CRIB HHM INVENTORATTORNEY Draper P. Royce, Springfield, Mass., assignor, by mesneassignments, to Glenn Crihfield, High Point, N. C.

Application February 16, 1955, Serial No. 488,490

Claims. (Cl. 5-63) This invention relates to an infants crib or thelike, and more particularly the invention is directed to an automaticadjustment for the crib mattress supporting spring which rises upon anddue to the lowering of the drop side of the crib, the drop side beingnormally held in raised position with the mattress spring support inlowermost position for protection of the infant in the crib; but uponlowering the drop side, the crib mattress supporting spring is raisedautomatically by means of a special new and improved cable-operatedlinkage connected to the drop side and to the mattress supporting springfor actuation one by the other to raise the infant in the crib toutility height for convenience in infant care,

etc.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a crib forinfants as above described wherein the apparatus for raising andlowering the mattress supporting spring is located wholly below thelatter and does not at any time extend above it, so that the mechanismis concealed even though not necessarily enclosed; and the provision ofan apparatus as above described wherein the same is easier to operate,is fool-proof in operation, and is particularly easy to manufacture,assemble, adjust, and operate.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 isa view in front elevation of a crib embodying the present invention,parts being broken away, and illustrating the relative degree of motionof the mattress support between the extremes thereof;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation illustrating the mechanism and showing thesame in lowermost position and looking in the direction of arrow 2 inFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar but enlarged view showing the mattress supportextended to uppermost position and the crib drop side in lowermostposition; and

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2, parts being broken away.

Reference is made to Patent No. 2,448,317, August 3l, 1948 illustratingan infants crib, the present invention being an improvement thereoverand providing a simpler construction which is easier to operate, lessexpensive to manufacture, and which provides for a minimum ofmalfunctions or disrupting of the elevating mechanism, so that thebenefits of the invention are increased.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a conventional drop side crib,the same including a frame having an end panel 10, an opposite end panel12, an inter-connecting rigid rear wall indicated at 14, there being adrop side at the front. As conventional, the rear wall could be a dropside also. The front drop side comprises a top rail 16, upright stilesor the like 18, and a bottom rail 20,

vthe same being provided with conventional releasable lock means, notherein disclosed as being conventional in the art, to maintain the dropside in uppermost position and to lock the same in lowermost position.

2,765,477 Fatented Oct. 9, v1956 'ice The top and bottom rails 16 and 20of the drop side may be provided with vertical bores to be slidinglyguided in the vertical motion thereof by means of the usual drop sliderods 22 secured to the usual corner posts of the end panels as wellknown in the art. At the opposite ends of the lower rail 20, the same isprovided with box-like rectangular shaped sleeves 24 which are similarbut reversed to present projections 26 extending laterally thereof,these projections providing for fastening elements 28 to which areconnected the ends of cables 30, see particularly Figs. 2 and 3, therebeing a cable 30 and elevating mechanism tat each end of the crib, seeFig. 4.

The opposite end of each cable 30 is anchored at a xed point indicatedat 32 on a frame member 34, said frame member forming a part of arectangular frame which is adapted to be secured by any well known meansas indicated by brackets 36 to the end panels of the crib or to thecorner posts therefor, or in any other manner found desirable orconvenient.

Each cable 30 passes over a xed idle roll 38 mounted on the frame-work34 and is trained over a pulley, roller, or the like 46 mounted on alink 42 having an end thereof pivoted at 44 to a longer link 46intermediate the ends of the latter.

Each link 46 is pivoted at its lower end at 48 to the respective endpanel 10 or `12 Ior to some convenient fixed frame member, and theopposite end of .each lever 46 is pivoted as at 50 to a second elongatedlink 52. The other end of each link 52 is pivoted as at 54 to a member56 representing an end angle iron or other member of -a mattresssupporting spring frame. Mattress supports are ordinarily made inrectangular form of pieces of angle-iron or other convenient members andmount thereon a link fabric or other means to support the mattress, andonly so much of the mattress supporting spring frame is shown as isnecessary to illustrate the present invention.

It will be apparent from the above that when the drop side is in itssolid'line position in Fig. 1, i. e. in its uppermost position, thecables 30 appear as shown in Fig. 2. The drop side is in its uppermostposition, and therefore the pulleys or rollers 40 will be in theirlowermost position, as determined by the cables; links 46, 52 will be asshown with the vertically adjustable mattress support 56 substantiallyresting upon the horizontal xed framework 34.

However, when the drop side is released and lowere to the dotted lineposition as shown in Fig. l, the cables will be extended downwardly (seeFig. 3), and the ends at 32 being fixed, the rollers 40 will be pulledforwardly of the crib which is to the left in Figs. 2 and 3; and linkage46 and 52 will be moved so as to tend to straighten out as shown in Fig.3. Under these conditions, obviously the spring frame or support 56 mustbe moved vertically upwardly and in this condition the top edge of themattress indicated at 60 may be positioned adjacent the top edge of thedrop side, depending upon the relative proportions of the partsutilized. In any event, the crib spring or support rises as the dropside descends and vice-versa, to carry out the purposes of theinvention.

A stop 62 is provided on frame-work 34 in position to intercept linkage52 in the Fig. 3 position to prevent the same going past a dead center,thus preventing locking of the mattress spring frame in its uppermostposition. In other words, when the drop side is released from itslowermost position and moved upwardly, the action of the linkage issmooth and positive and need not be unlocked as it remains unlocked atall times due to stop 62. The drop side itself latches the parts in theupper and lower positions due to the usual latches as well known in theart.

A cross linkage generally indicated at 64 is provided, the respectivemembers ,thereofwbeing pivotedat points 66 to the respective frames 34and 56 and the opposite ends thereof as at 68 being slidable and guidedby slots 70 to accomplish the change inthe cross linkage 64 from theFig. 2 folded position to the, Fig. 3 extended position thereof. Thelinkage 64 balances the spring frame Vor support S6, maintainingthe samealways in a horizontal position, and providesfor smoother operation.

Tension springs 72 are connected between the parts of the linkage 64 asat 74, and these springs extend and are tensioned in the lowermostposition ofthe spring frame 56 (see Fig. 2). Springs 72 assist inraising the mattress spring frame, the mattress and the infant whichoccupies the crib, whereby the balance desired between the drop side andthe spring fram-e and mattress is achieved, it being understood that anidealcondition is one in which the infant, mattress and `springfrarneare in balanced relationship, so that Athe least eflo'rt is required toboth lower andraise the drop side.

By reason of the above-described construction, the same is very easilyoperated, even with the occupant of the crib supported on themattress,in spite of the weight of the mattress, the linkage, the spring frameand the child, and by the relatively simple linkage disclosed, theobjects of the invention are carried out in a simplified and more easilyoperatedform, whichV provides a positiveacting mechanism not liable tomalfunction or to stick in any way. All the mechanism is concealed andlocated below the mattress and therefore cannot be interfered with bythe crib occupant, and the crib itself resembles a conventional crib inappearance without bulky or double end panels.

The new mechanism operates more smoothly in part due to the pulleyarrangement which doubles the mechanical advantage in the operation ofthe Adevice and thus results in easier cooperation with less work.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do notwish to be limited tto the details herein disclosed, otherwise than asset forth in claims, but what I claim is:

l. A crib construction comprising a crib frame, a drop side thereon, avertically movable mattress supporting spring frame in the crib frame,an extensible linkage on the crib frame connected to the frame thereofand to the spring frame, means causing said linkage to extend andcontract, said means being secured to the crib drop side and operatedthereby to raise the springnfram-e upon,

lowering the drop Vside and vice-versa, said means including anelongated flexible actuator having an end secured to the drop side andtheother endsecured to a fixed crib member, the actuator having anintermediate portion movably associated with the linkage.l

2. A crib construction comprising a. crib frame, a drop side thereon, avertically movable mattress supporting spring frame in the cribframe,4an extensible linkage on the crib frame connected to the frame thereofand to the spring frame, means causing the linkage to extend and.4

contract, said means being secured to the crib drop side and operatedthereby to raise the spring frame upon lowering the drop side andvice-versa, said means including an elongated flexible actuator havingan end secured to the drop side and the other end secured to a fixedcrib mem-ber, the actuator having an intermediate portion movablyassociated with the linkage, a fixed idle roller on the crib frameadjacent the drop side, said flexible actuator being trained over theroller.

3. A crib construction comprising a crib frame, a drop side thereon, avertically movable mattress supporting spring frame in the cribfframe,an extensible linkage on the crib frame connected to the frame thereofand to the spring frame, said linkage including apair of articulatedelongated members, means. causing the linkagev to extendk and,contract,;said means beingsecuredtto the crib dropside'andoperated-thereby to'raise the spring frame upon lowering the drop sideand vice-versa, said means including an elongated flexible actuatorhaving an end secured to the drop side and the other end secured to afixed crib member, the actuator having an intermediate portion movablyassociated with the linkage, a fixed idle roller on the crib frameadjacent the drop side, said flexible actuator being trained over theroller, and means on one of the elongated members of the extensiblelinkage to slidingly receive the'llexible actuator in looped formbetween the idle roller and the xed end of the flexible actuator.

4. A crip constuction comprising a pair of end members for the crib, adrop side extending between the end members, a tixedframe secured to theend members and a vertically/,movable mattress support located above thefixed frame, an extensible linkage for each end member, each linkageincluding a link pivotably associated with an end member and anotherlink pivotally associated wit-h a corresponding end of the mattresssupport, said linkages ,being extended to raise `the latter and foldedto lower the same, an elongated flexible actuator for each linkage,means on one of the links of each linkage to slidably receive tbecorresponding flexible actuator intermediate the ends thereof, meansanchoring each flexible actuator at one end to the frame and at theother end to the drop side, land means guiding the flexible actuators tocause a pull on each actuator to extend the linkages as the crib dropside descends to raise the mattress support.

5. The crib construction of claim 4 wherein the guiding means for` theflexible actuators comprises idle pulleys on the end members adjacentthe drop side, the flexible actuato-rs extending thereover, downwardlyto the points of connection thereof to the dropside.

6. The crib construction of claim 4 including a stop on an end member tolimit the motion of the linkage in the extension movement thereof toprevent the linkage from assuming ,an aligned relationship of thevarious links of each linkage.

7. For use with an infants crib including a frame having a drop side, aunitary assembly for cooperation with said drop side and includingapparatus for raising and lowering a mattress-supporting spring frame asthe drop side is lowered and raised respectively, said apparatuscomprising a frame adapted for securement to a crib frame in xedrelation thereto, a mattress-supporting spring frame movably mounted onthe xed frame for vertical motion to adjust the height thereof, alinkage including a link secured to. the mattress-supporting springframe and adapted to` be fixed to a portion of the crib frame forextension to raise the mattress-supporting spring frame and forcontraction to lower the same, and flexible means connectible to saidldropside and to said linkage, including means for effectivelyshortening the flexible connection to extend the linkage as the dropside is lowered, and selectively providing for folding of the linkageunder the action ofV gravi-ty upon raising the drop side.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 including a cross linkage of scissor typeconnected between the fixed frame and the mattress-supporting springframe at corresponding ends of the same, and spring means tending toextend said scissors to aidv in raising the` mattress-supporting springframe and to yieldingly resist lowering thereof.

9. An infants crib having a drop side and an adjustablemattress-supporting spring frame, comprising a frame adapted to be fixedto the crib, means adjustably supporting the spring frame `on the fixedframe, an extensible linkagehav-ing one link connected to the springframe and another link connected to the crib frame at a fixed pointbelow the fixed frame, an elongated flexible member, means on one of.said links for slidably receiving the flexible member, said last-namedmeans maintaining the flexible member in the form of an open loop, meansconnecting the flexible member to the drop side, whereby the droptsidewill extend the linkage upon downward motionand allow the linkagegravitationally to fold upon upward motion, said flexible member beingengaged at one end at a fixed position and engaging an idler on the cribframe over which it is trained, said idler being located adjacent thedropside, and the exible member including a portion locatedsubstantially vertically between the idler and the point of connectionof theflexible member to the drop side.

10. In an infants crib having a crib frame, a drop side connectedthereto, a vertically adjustable mattress supporting spring framemechanism, said mechanism comprising a frame secured in xed position tosaid crib, a linkage at each end of the crib having a link pivoted. at afixed point on the crib frame below the xed frame and having anotherlink pivoted to a spring frame above the fixed frame for extension ofthe linkage to raise the spning frame relative to the fixed frame andfor relative folding motion to lower the spring fram-e relative to thexed frame, a roller on one of the links of the linkage, a ilexiblecable, said cable having one end fixed to the iixed frame and beingtrained over the roller, an idler roller on the crib frame adjacent thedrop side, said flexible cable being trained over said idler roller anddescending therefrom, said flexible cable terminating below the idlerroller in xed relationship to said drop side, said flexible cableforming an open loop between the first-named ixed end thereof and theidler roller, said loop being eifectively shortened upon lowering of thedrop side to extend the linkage to raise the mattresssupporting springframe, and said loop being electively lengthened under the inuence ofgravity as the spring frame descends upon raising the drop side.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,761,214 Koeck June 3, 1930 1,992,733 Bayer Feb. 26, 1935 2,448,317Linebarry Aug. 31, 1948 2,607,048 Unterhalter Aug. 19, 1952

